Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The matter of the alleged position offered to Joe Sestak in return for dropping out of his race with Arlen Specter continues to benefit his Republican opponent, Pat Toomey, who has overtaken Sestak in the polls. Sestak's strategy appears to be one intended to distance himself from the 'establishment'.

POLITICO reports on an interview Sestak did with Tavis Smiley. He used the word, "wrong" to describe the White House's support of Specter while also attempting to place Obama above it all. If you thought there were blatant contradictions before, take a look at what Sestak told Tavis Smiley:

“There’s no more kings, there’s no more king makers in America,” Sestak said on the PBS show "Tavis Smiley." “And if the Democratic party should stand for anything when they are trying to get me out of the race, they should be for enticing people into the race. This President said it so well and I believe [that] he believes it: believe in principle and politics will follow. No. The party establishment was wrong in what it did.”

Did you catch that? He rips the Democratic "party establishment" for the attempt to get him out of the race while holding up Obama as a principled leader. Does he think people are this stupid? The offer came from Obama's Chief of Staff and was relayed by former president Bill Clinton. If it was "wrong", then Obama was wrong. Sestak doesn't draw the comparison that is so obvious, it slaps even the staunchest of Obamautomatons upside the head - I bet even Tavis Smiley cocked an eyebrow at that one. Then again, maybe not. He does believe rabid murderous Christians outnumber their Islamic counterparts.

Sestak is actually attempting to distance himself from Obama while also giving him a pass. This is beyond convoluted. As he failed to do when asked by Larry Kane if he was offered a job to drop out of the primary, he should have kept his mouth shut here as well.

The Jury pool in Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial has been getting winnowed down somewhat efficiently since Blago's trial opened on Thursday, June 3rd. Here we are on Day 4 and opening statements from Blago's attorney, Sam Adam Jr. are expected to happen, barring any significant and unexpected hiccups with final jury selection. Rod's brother Rob is also on trial and his attorney will present an opening statement as well.

Today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton is expected to talk for about an hour, explaining to jurors in the trial's opening statements what specific evidence the government has against Rod Blagojevich and his brother, Rob. She's expected to preview key testimony in the case as well as FBI recordings of Blagojevich.

Speaking for the defense, Sam Adam Jr. is expected to give an impassioned plea for the former governor that will last nearly two hours.

"Looking forward to opening statements because that will unlock the truth... stay tuned,"

Blago loves drama and attention so there is obviously some of that at work here but it will be very interesting to hear what is said.

The Obama administration is already in a very precarious position when it comes to the bribery accusations involving Joe Sestak and Andrew Romanoff. Both are on the brink of exploding open a larger 21st Century Watergate-style mega-scandal. If another instance where this administration offered jobs in return for political favor, it would likely start rolling downhill fast for this president.

The Blagojevich trial, which has an extremely similar undercurrent to it, may very well have the same effect. The job offers to Sestak and Romanoff very well may provide a significant amount of fuel for a trial many already see as a powder keg.

Obama showcases a little of his Chicago Side here. Even the left has been critical of Obama's handling of the Gulf Oil disaster. The main criticism from them is that his calm and cool demeanor is not what is needed right now, that he needs to show anger and engagement; he cannot appear detached and above the proverbial fray in this situation. James Carville likely did more than anyone else to get the left to coalesce around this notion.

Then came the notorious Spike Lee. On June 2nd, in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Mr. Lee said regarding the oil spill that Obama needs to "Go Off". Less than one week later, Obama manufactures a little anger and throws in a cuss word for good measure during an interview with Matt Lauer while pointing the finger at "talking heads" who are just doing their jobs as "talking heads". I'm surprised he didn't blame the last administration while he was at it.

I can't help wondering if he called Spike Lee after his interview with Lauer to seek his approval. I have to believe that even Spike Lee had to cringe a little. The result was that Obama may have gone off-script but he still doesn't appear to have "gone off". He just looks like a guy in way over his head attempting to agitate himself.

After all, his entire career is all about agitating others. Maybe he thought it was time to agitate himself for a change. Did I say "change"?

Here's the Spike Lee video from last week. I just wanted the short clip of him saying Obama should "go off" but these entire four minutes are worth the watch if you have the time - more childish immaturity.

Wow. This from a man who is still blaming the previous administration seventeen months into his own. There has never been a president so willing to reject responsibility as completely as this one. Remember that economic mess he inherited? He's only made it worse. Remember all that blame he was throwing around as a Senator during Hurricane Katrina? Applying his standard to the Gulf Oil disaster would necessarily mean this has been handled worse.

Better get a spoon for this hypocrisy. It's so palpable, you'll actually be able to chew on it. Both videos below via Hot Air.

Oh, I wasn't going to post this video..............until I saw it. The quality isn't the greatest and I thought it just captured a student nodding off during Obama's speech. Uh, no. This dude was in phase three REM! I think it's safe to say that the air has left the "Yes, we can" balloon.